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[anzac]

Has anyone received their notice

Harley-Davidson

DETROIT – Harley-Davidson is recalling about 308,000 motorcycles to fix a switch problem that can cause failure of the brake lights and possibly even the rear brakes themselves.

The company says in government documents that brake light switches can be exposed to too much heat from the exhaust system. The brake lights can fail, and the problem also can cause fluid leaks and the loss of rear brakes.

The problem affects Touring, CVO Touring and Trike vehicles from the 2009 through 2012 model years.

Harley says it will notify owners of the recall. Dealers will install a rear brake light switch kit free of charge.

The recall affects about 251,000 motorcycles in the U.S. alone.

The company says it's aware of only one crash from the problem. It was unclear if anyone was hurt.

[Nitrobrother]

A friend sent me the following:

"http://www.masslive.com/business-news/index.ssf/2011/10/harley-davidson_switch_recall.html

Harley-Davidson to recall more than 308,000 motorcycles
Published: Monday, October 24, 2011, 11:48 AM Updated: Monday, October 24, 2011, 11:50 AM

DETROIT (AP) — Harley-Davidson Inc. is recalling about 308,000 motorcycles to fix a switch problem that can cause failure of the brake lights and possibly even the rear brakes themselves.

The company said in documents filed last week with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that brake light switches can be exposed to too much heat from the exhaust system. The heat can cause the brake lights to fail, and the problem also can cause fluid leaks and the loss of rear brakes, the documents said.

The problem affects Touring, CVO Touring and Trike motorcycles from the 2009 through 2012 model years. They were built between June 6, 2008 and Sept. 16, 2011.

Harley says it will notify owners of the recall. Dealers will install a rear brake light switch kit free of charge.

The recall affects about 251,000 motorcycles in the U.S. alone, with the balance in other countries.

Harley said it noticed the problem in June of 2010 when it got a report of a Trike model motorcycle that lost its rear brakes due to the problem. The company began investigating, and in July of 2010, it sent investigators to a dealership in Louisiana to inspect another bike that was involved in a crash due to the problem.

The crash is the only one that Harley-Davidson is aware of. It was unclear if anyone was hurt. Messages were left at the company's Milwaukee headquarters seeking comment.

Harley said in the documents that there have been no more reports of the problem occurring since July of 2010.

The company also said in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that it expects the recall to cost $10 million to $12 million, which will be charged as an expense in the fourth quarter.

Shares of Harley-Davidson rose $1.18, or 3.1 percent, to $38.78 in midday trading Monday.

The Associated Press"

Anyone heard any details?  The Harley site has been strangely quiet on the topic today...

[grc]

---------------------------
"Harley said it noticed the problem in June of 2010 when it got a report of a Trike model motorcycle that lost its rear brakes due to the problem. The company began investigating, and in July of 2010, it sent investigators to a dealership in Louisiana to inspect another bike that was involved in a crash due to the problem.The crash is the only one that Harley-Davidson is aware of. It was unclear if anyone was hurt. Messages were left at the company's Milwaukee headquarters seeking comment.

Harley said in the documents that there have been no more reports of the problem occurring since July of 2010."
---------------------------

Obviously they haven't looked at their warranty claims or parts sales for switches since July of 2010, based on that comment versus the experiences of the folks on this site and others, with continuing issues right up to this date.  It is typical of Harley however to try to ignore things like this for a year or two and hope they go away on their own. 


Jerry

[firefighter156]

The ABS pump and valves (HCU - Hydraulic Control Unit) sit at the high point of the rear brake system, so anytime you open up that system the odds are fairly good that some air will migrate to the HCU.  Air that gets trapped in the HCU isn't easy to remove with simple bleeding techniques, so manufacturers have had special routines for many many years now that involve using a scan tool or similar device to run a program that activates the pump and valves as you bleed the system, to help remove that trapped air.  The ABS on your car or truck has the same requirement for bleeding, so what Harley has is definitely nothing new or unique.

Folks can do whatever they want I suppose, but my advice is simple: When dealing with safety, do it right, or don't do it at all. 


Jerry

Thank you for the explanation Jerry.  When they do this procedure then, there is no worry then that they will mess up any settings in the ECM?  Doesn't sound like they need to go there? Will all dealers follow this procedure or will some take shortcuts and just attempt to bleed them without the use of a scan tool etc?

[grc]

Thank you for the explanation Jerry.  When they do this procedure then, there is no worry then that they will mess up any settings in the ECM?  Doesn't sound like they need to go there? Will all dealers follow this procedure or will some take shortcuts and just attempt to bleed them without the use of a scan tool etc?

No worry about them messing up your tune or anything else in the ECM.  As to whether or not all dealership techs will do it the right way, considering all the horror stories out there about "techs" who have screwed up all sorts of other things due to ignorance or lazyness, I don't know how anyone could assume anything.  It would probably be a good idea to mention the ABS and the special bleeding procedure to whomever you deal with, but unless you plan on standing over them while they do the job I don't know how you can ever be totally sure.  I would suggest that before you head home you ride around the dealership and surrounding area a bit and thoroughly test the brakes.  If the pedal feels softer than before, or travels further before the brake actually becomes effective, take it back immediately and make them do it right.  We have already had some folks on the site mention getting their bike back after a switch change and having a soft rear brake, so obviously some techs don't do it right and don't check their work before turning the bike over to the customer.


Jerry

[firefighter156]

No worry about them messing up your tune or anything else in the ECM.  As to whether or not all dealership techs will do it the right way, considering all the horror stories out there about "techs" who have screwed up all sorts of other things due to ignorance or lazyness, I don't know how anyone could assume anything.  It would probably be a good idea to mention the ABS and the special bleeding procedure to whomever you deal with, but unless you plan on standing over them while they do the job I don't know how you can ever be totally sure.  I would suggest that before you head home you ride around the dealership and surrounding area a bit and thoroughly test the brakes.  If the pedal feels softer than before, or travels further before the brake actually becomes effective, take it back immediately and make them do it right.  We have already had some folks on the site mention getting their bike back after a switch change and having a soft rear brake, so obviously some techs don't do it right and don't check their work before turning the bike over to the customer.


Jerry

Thank you.  I will question them thoroughly.

[howtodoit]

http://www.tgdaily.com/business-and-law-brief/59252-harley-davidson-recalls-300000-motorcycles

Owners are to be notified after Oct 31st

[480Ruger]

My back brake went out on top of Mt Evans back in July.  Rear brake switch kept the tail light from working and disengaging the cruise too.  I stopped at two different HD dealers (MT and SD) to bleed back brakes before I got home to get it replaced.  Glad to see the recall. 

[16HD117]

Article with a CVO pic.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/24/harley-davidson-recalling-over-300-000-motorcycles/

[Dr.D]

Just hearing that some models 09-12 are getting recalls for a faulty over heating rear brake light switch. What's the scoop?

[firefighter156]

Just hearing that some models 09-12 are getting recalls for a faulty over heating rear brake light switch. What's the scoop?

Type "Harley Recall" in the search bar.  You'll get ur answer

[Dr.D]

Type "Harley Recall" in the search bar.  You'll get ur answer
[/quote

Thanks I am a little late to the party. I had my brakes go out on the Blue Ridge Parkway and had to ride 100 miles up n o top of the mountains with no rears brake. Honestly I think it was because I spilled some oil on the switch and when it got hot it melted the unit.

[grc]

Thanks I am a little late to the party. I had my brakes go out on the Blue Ridge Parkway and had to ride 100 miles up n o top of the mountains with no rears brake. Honestly I think it was because I spilled some oil on the switch and when it got hot it melted the unit.

Heat probably did melt it, but it had nothing to do with you spilling oil on it.  Had a lot more to do with a cheap switch and high exhaust temps.

Funny how Harley claims they haven't had a failure since July 2010, but plenty of folks on just this site alone have reported either brake light failures or actual brake failures due to these switches more recently than 7/2010.


Jerry

[Indenial]

A friend of mine with a 2011 CVO just told me at lunch today that 2009-2011's CVO's have an issue with the brake line cable and tail lights. Evidently, it runs close to the exhaust and can overheat.  I haven't read the recall letter yet, just heard the rumor. Has anyone else heard this?

[trahog]

2009 to2012 not just the cvo's all touring.